GALLANT GUNNER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 July 1942, Page 4

GALLANT GUNNER

AWARD TO SOUTHLAND SERGEANT DEEDS AT MERSA MATRUH. HEAVY TOLL TAKEN OF ENEMY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. For gallantry in the action south-east of Mersa Matruh four weeks ago, Sergeant Phillip Andrew McMonchie, of the original Southland Battalion, is the first New Zealander to receive an immediate decoration for this campaign. Sergeant McConchie, who was a member of the First Contingent, has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

The citation reads: “On June 27, Sergeant McConchie was in charge of a two-pounder anti-tank gun. He led a crew who had never manned or had experience with anti-tank guns previously. From the very start of the action, this non-commissioned officer displayed coolness and confidence. When the action started, he held his fire, and by doing so destroyed later a Portee, or anti-tank gun carrier, one small tank, one troop-carrier and two transport vehicles. His gun was subjected to heavy mortar fire, his No. 2 gunner was wounded and the firing mechanism was broken. The gun was then useless and the position of the crew was critical. Sergeant McConchie held the crew together by his coolness and example. During a lull, he walked out to the damaged Portee, retrieved the firing mechanism and got his gun into action again. When, his officer arrived he accompanied him out and towed the other Portee back. During the withdrawal, Sergeant McConchie had trouble in getting his gun on to the Portee_and eventual!}" had to tow his gun out. At one of the heaviest stages of the fighting, he. went out some twenty yards under heavy fire to retrieve water and tobacco for his men. Sergeant McConchie's coolness and efficiency under fire were outstanding and undoubtedly the gun would not have been in action without him.”